Benjamin wither



(No Model.)

B. WITMER.

l MOUTHPIBGE POR GORNBTS, am. y No. 566,435. Patented Aug. 25, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEo BENJAMIN IVITMER, OF PLATTSVILLE, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO VHALEY, ROYCE da CO., OF TORONTO, CANADA.

MOUTH PIECE FOR CORNETS, &,O.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,435, dated August 25, 1896.

Application filed November 29, 1895. Serial No. 570,542. (No model.)

T0 all wlw/1t it may concer/2,:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN VITMER, of Plattsville, in the county of Oxford and Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mouthpieces for Cornets and Kindred Musical Instruments, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to improvements in cornets and other musical instruments sounded by blowing into the same, the object of such improvements being to produce a monthpiece whereby the higher tones are accomplished by increasing the pressure of the mouthpiece against the lips instead of by peculiar formation given the lips heretofore to accomplish such higher tones. Said improvements permit of continuous and uninterrupted performance of the instrument and render the production of the higher tones as easy as the ordinary lower tones.

I accomplish this desired object by means of a mouthpiece having a movable presser-ring, which rests against the lips of the performer and has a spring in rear to vmaintain it extended normally, but upon increased pressure of the mouthpiece against the lips the presser-ring slides on the shank or body of the mouthpiece, compresses the spring encircling the shank, and shortens the length of the mouthpiece, thereby producing the higher tones when blown. Y

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention,and in which similar numbers of reference refer to similar parts throughout, Figure l represents the mouthpiece according to my invention. Fig. 2 represents alongitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 represents a similar section to that of the foregoing figure, but having the parts in the positions occupied when the presser-ring is compressed full extent, and Fig. 4 represents an enlarged form of the presser-ring to show the alternative means of limiting the movement of the same.

My improved mouthpiece consists of the shank l, the presser-ring 2, stop-nut 3, and the spiral spring 4, having each and all, except the spring 4, which is a plain spiral spring, particular constructiomas hereinafter fully specified. The body or shank l is tubular and tapered like other mouthpieces heretofore in use at its smaller end, where it is inserted into the instru ment, but at the opposite end it has an enlarged cylindro-conoid form, so that its outer edge is sharp,as shown. The head 5 is inclosed in the presser-ring 2, which is closely fitted thereto, so as to be airtight, and at one end this presser-ring 2 is rounded and adapted to rest against the lips the saine as the ordinary mouthpieces in general use, and at its opposite end it is reduced so as to correspond to and fitthe shank l,which is passed through the presser-rin g 2. On the smaller end of the presser-rin g 2 a projecting ring 6 is formed, which incloses the greater portion of the spring 4 and forms a cover for the same. Near the central part of the shank l a shoulder 7 is formed by the different diameters of the shank l, and on the smaller portion a fine screw-thread 8 is formed to receive a stop-nut 3,screwed over to rest again st the shoulder 7. The spiral spring4 is placed over the shank l after the presser-ring 2 is put in position, and then the stop-nut 3 is placed as aforesaid to rest against the shoulder 7. On the stop-nut 3 a projecting ring 9 is formed similar to the ring 6 on the presserring 2,but its outer diameter is adapted to pass freely into the said ring 6, and is thereby inclosed when in position, so that the spring 4 is entirely out of View. The ring 9 on the stop-nut 3 also incloses the spring 4, and in length is adapted to contact with a suitable shoulder in the interior of the ring 6 and prevent the sharp edge of the head 5 projecting beyond the presser-ring 2 when fully compressed'.

To provide for the spring 4 weakening and for different pressures by musicians given the instrument against the lips, I employ the adjusting-rings 10 shown, whichgare to be inserted, when required, one, two, or more, between the stop-nut 3 and the spring 4, as in this position they do not change the movement of the presser-ring.

In Fig. 4 is represented an alternative means by which the movement of the presserring 2 is limited and the projection of the sharp edge of the head 5 prevented beyond IOO the ring 2. The ring 2 is screwed on the pressenring 2, which is threaded suitably to receive it, and covers the end completely, as shown, and has an inwardly-projecting flange 1l, that prevents the edge of the head 5 projecting, as the flange Il is of less diameter than the head 5, and consequently the ring 2L has to be removed before the presser-ring 2 can be put over or removed from the head 5.

IIaving described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

l. In a mouthpiece for cornets and kindred musical instruments, the combination of the tubular shank having a cylindrical head on one end suitably chambered, a presser-ring adapted to bear against the mouth of the 0perator and closely fitted over said head of the shank and provided with a ring to inclose a spring bearing on the said presser-ring, the said spiral spring encircling the shank and bearing against the presser-ring, a stop ring` or nut screwed over the shank at its center and having a projecting ring to inclose said spiral spring to pass Within the ring` on the presser-rin g and limit the movement of said presser-ring along the shank, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a mouthpiece for cornets and other kindred musical instruments, the combination of the tubular shank tapered at one end to fasten in an instrument and having a cylindrical head on the other end, a presser-ring closely iitted over the head of said shank and adapted to bear against the mouth of the operator at one end and having a projecting ring on the other end to receive and inclose a spiral spring, the said spiral spring bearing against the said presser-ring and encircling the shank, a stop ring or nut screwed over the shank at its center and having a projecting ring to inclose the spring, to pass within the ring on the pressererin v and to limit the movement of said presser-ring, and the adjusting rings on said shank and between the spring and stop-nut, substantially as shown and described.

BENJAMIN WITMER.

'Witnesses:

M. F. AINsLIE, Ro'r. SHIEL. 

